You've probably heard of "crystalline waterproofing," also known as "integral waterproofing." Concrete is porous by nature. It's a fact of life, just like death and taxes: your concrete will absorb water, waterborne contaminants, and chemicals. The good news is that you have a defensive strategy. When you need to defend your concrete against these common intruders, and positive-side sheet membrane waterproofing isn't enough, crystalline waterproofing taps the sheet membrane on the shoulder and says, "It's my turn to dance with this beautiful concrete."

Are there new developments and advancements in cementitious waterproofing? We have solutions. Let's get started.

HOW DOES CRYSTALLINE WATERPROOFING WORK?

Crystalline waterproofing is a no-VOCs (volatile organic compounds) system that protects your concrete from all types of water and water-borne materials. (A handy VOC Compliance Map can be found here.) . The hydrophobic (water repellent) admixture's unique chemistry converts polar water molecules into non-polar molecules, which then form spherical molecules to block the micro-capillary pores. This provides waterproofing protection. According to lab tests, they can withstand up to 200 psi, or 460 feet of hydrostatic pressure.)

When calcium hydroxide, free lime, and moisture in the concrete react with your non-soluble crystalline product of choice, crystalline waterproofing occurs. The crystalline admixture reacts to fill micro-cracks, pores, and capillaries with insoluble, needle-like crystals that can self-seal hairline cracks up to 0.5mm (or 0.02 inches) and seal-heal for years after the original construction date.

Even if your concrete is subjected to high hydrostatic pressure, crystalline waterproofing protects it from water and water-borne chemicals. As water tries to enter your concrete, self-sealing new crystals form to grow and seal it off. This provides incredible water resistance to any structure.

HOW DOES CRYSTALLINE WATERPROOFING WORK?

Contractors can use crystalline waterproofing systems in two ways: surface application or integral waterproofing admixtures (the crystalline product is already added to the concrete mix). It is a brush-on or spray-applied slurry that can be used for both negative and positive waterproofing.

Crystalline Waterproofing's Limitations

All crystalline waterproofing admixtures have limitations despite their chemically reactive advantages. Some examples are:

• It should not be used in structures where there is constant movement.

• They cannot span cracks larger than half a millimeter in width. When applying crystalline waterproofing products, joints, penetrations, and transitions must be handled with care.

• In some construction projects, contractors may still need to incorporate a strong drainage system solution to keep water from accumulating throughout the building's lifespan.

WE FIXED THESE 7 OLD-STYLE CRYSTALLINE PROBLEMS

Organix Building System recently acquired GEMITE; a construction chemicals innovator based in UAE that developed our Cem-Kote CW Plus and Cem-Kote Flex ST products. (Please see our press release.) These products have seven distinct advantages over traditional crystalline waterproofing products in terms of time, money, and protection, including:

1. Next-Day New Concrete Application - Cem-Kote CW Plus activates quickly and becomes effective at stopping water in a matter of days rather than weeks (the norm for old-style crystalline waterproofing). It can be used the day after the concrete is placed.

2. One-of-a-kind Crystalline-Membrane Combo - Cem-Kote CW Plus combines crystalline waterproofing with tough membrane waterproofing for quick activation. It can be used as a brush or spray-applied slurry for negative and positive waterproofing.

3. Seals Larger Substrate Moving Cracks - By combining the Cem-Kote CW Plus system with Reinforcing Fabric HD embedded in a layer of Cem-Kote Flex ST, larger substrate cracks are waterproofed overnight. This allows the waterproofing application to begin the following day. Old-style crystalline materials can only seal non-moving, hairline cracks and cannot seal larger, moving cracks caused by temperature changes and structural loading (filling & emptying tanks). The "cut-and-fill method" employed by conventional crystalline supplies is time-consuming, costly, and necessitates more time to develop the crystalline action in order for it to function properly.

4. Equally Effective on Old Concrete Structures - Even when old concrete is depleted of free silicate due to membrane waterproofing mechanism carbonation, Cem-Kote CW Plus remains as effective as new concrete.

5. Longer Open Time and Easier Application - Cem-Kote CW Plus solves the problem that other crystalline products have with the short "working time" after mixing and the higher ambient temperature, which further shortens the set times, resulting in a difficult application.

6. Cost Savings - Cem-Kote CW Plus allows for easier applications, longer open times, and simpler, faster crack treatments, all of which result in lower application costs.

7. Bonus: Customer Satisfaction - By resolving the issues that have plagued contractors for years with old-style crystalline waterproofing products, contractors, building owners, specifiers, and architects are happier.